Software-Brochure-2

SOFTWARESOLUTIONS AND SERVICES

Optimization Strategies for Greater Savings and Productivity

1.800.800.0014 www.connection.com/SoftwarePractice 2

Software keeps your organization’s data flowing, documents moving, and phones ringing. It’s one of the essential ingredients in any efficient, productive workforce. And in today’s IT world—where strategy is focused on outcomes—there’s no greater opportunity to improve outcomes than optimizing the software that manages your data and keeps your users sharing, creating, and collaborating.

That’s why optimizing your software environment can yield big dividends for productivity, security, and your bottom line. Connection has qualified experts and decades of experience to help you build the right software solution stack for your organization—and to keep it optimized over time. Our team can discern the factors that should drive the architectural considerations behind your software investments, and provide the insights and resources to help you:

• Streamline application and database migrations › p. 3

• Modernize your software infrastructure › p. 4

• Support next-generation messaging platforms › p. 5

• Optimize your Microsoft software investments › p. 6

Why Choose Connection for Software Solutions and Services?

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The significance of a critical application or operating system reaching end of life is hard to overstate. Lack of support, compatibility issues, and increased security risks can have far-reaching effects on your organization—especially when it comes to database environments.

Now that Microsoft SQL Server 2005 has reached its end of life, organizations still running older versions need to prepare to migrate or run the risk of putting their data and applications in peril. The choice to upgrade to the latest software is an easy decision to make—because it enables productivity, mobility, and the speed you need to thrive as an organization. However, the process of upgrading to a supported version isn’t always simple. A new version can be installed quickly, but there are changes to the

CMOS, databases, and overarching architecture that need to be considered before doing so. Most organizations will need to perform an analysis of their environment to determine what actions will be required before they make the move.

Why Partner with Connection?

We have the tools and the expertise to help your organization prepare for a refresh and migration of your applications and databases. Through our assessment methodologies and Microsoft Licensing Optimization (MLO) process, we will help you discover and evaluate your options, and then recommend the right choice for your organization. At the same time, our experts understand that a solid implementation plan is mission-critical. We will leverage tools to assess your readiness to consume the available options, and build a plan to support your goals. Working as an extension of your team, we can help you:

• Prepare to stay, move, code, or containerize

• Discover and evaluate your licensing options

• Assess your readiness to consume the available options

• Design and implement a sound migration plan

Application and Database ServicesLet Us Help You Find the Best Migration Path




The PBX system is a dying technology. These systems are moving to end of life and will soon cease to exist. If your organization hasn’t migrated away from PBX, the costs of maintaining your lines and hardware will become prohibitive. Today’s communications environment is IP based, and organizations that make the switch can realize significant savings. By investing in your own network to make calls and communicate, you won’t be paying the telecom company every time you pick up the phone.

Before you can move from PBX to an IP-based system, you’ll need to ensure that you have both the network infrastructure and the on-staff expertise to make the switch. If you’re like many organizations today, you have the required network connectivity and a solid pipe to the Internet, but you may not have all of the in-house skillsets needed to complete the migration.

We can help. To get your migration on the path to success, start by looking at your communication infrastructure holistically. Your discussions around infrastructure should address the demands of today’s latest technologies, from messaging and collaboration tools to presence and video.


The foundation to support your next-generation communication tools requires experience and in-depth knowledge of how all of the pieces fit together. Our Microsoft team, Software Practice, and

Networking Practice work collaboratively to design these types of solutions that meet your exact needs. We offer the guidance and resources to help you understand not only your options, but also how those potential solutions will affect your IT plans and your budget. Our teams of specialists combine professionals from multiple practices to:

• Explain how different options will affect your organization

• Collect relevant data with industry-leading tools

• Scope your project and relay critical feasibility details

• Build an infrastructure optimized for your needs

• Design, deploy, and enhance your solution for maximum ROI

Infrastructure Software ServicesBuild a Strong Foundation for IT Innovation




Your organization is only as agile as the tools you rely on to share information and communicate. So what happens when you need to upgrade those technologies? Messaging Platforms receive updates at a fast-paced tempo, as vendors try to continuously promote the latest, most innovative features. Unfortunately, that can create challenges for organizations that don’t have a solid upgrade strategy in place.

Currently, Microsoft only supports two versions of their messaging platform. At some point in time, you will need to upgrade—or risk paying huge fees for custom support agreements. For some organizations, a migration might involve moving from one version of Exchange to another. Other organizations might need to migrate from a competing product, such as Lotus Notes.

Regardless of your situation, you will likely face a messaging migration challenge in the very near future—driven by licensing complexity, resource constraints, limited expertise, and demands to keep operations running without interruption. No matter what your upgrade needs are, we are here to help.


It can take some organizations months to complete a migration. With our expertise, your migration can be completed in weeks instead of months. Our team has extensive experience performing migrations, and we understand how to pass the benefits of that experience on to you. Our experts perform knowledge transfer for your staff, so that when we do engage your resources, we only require a minimal amount of their time. Connection offers advanced Messaging Platform services and simple, easy-to-consume packaged services designed to help you:

• Accelerate your migration timeline

• Gain critical knowledge transfer

• Leverage our in-house project management expertise

We can even augment your staff after the deployment to help your team manage Exchange accounts, reset passwords, and more. Packages can be designed to take your team all the way from licensing analysis to ongoing support for any period of time.

Our team is ready to help you migrate to your next messaging platform, with a suite of professional services designed to fit your specific needs. Regardless of your organization size or industry, our experts will listen to your challenges and strategic goals, scope out your requirements, and then map out a plan to upgrade your environment.

Messaging Platform ServicesShare Information at the Speed of Innovation




Are you struggling to make sense of your Microsoft licensing situation? We know how important Microsoft’s products are to your organization, as well as how frustrating and confusing their licensing can sometimes be. Connection is here to help you gain clarity and control over your licensing. We’ve built our Microsoft licensing services specifically to help you simplify your licensing programs and make smarter investments that deliver exactly what your organization needs. With the help of customer feedback, we’ve structured our services to address three key areas of concern:

• Software Investment Management—Keep your investment relevant and ensure ongoing alignment.

• Software Asset Management—Understand your software estate and meet your compliance goals.

• Actionable Intelligence—Review quality information about changes to Microsoft technologies and licensing programs.

Our 4-Step Process for Licensing Success

Connection’s Microsoft Licensing Optimization (MLO) is a progression of licensing analyses that help you better understand and manage your Microsoft licensing investments. Our process and deliverables are unique. They were designed 100% from the ground up by our team of licensing and technology experts. What’s more, they’ve been battle-tested and refined in the field for years with customers of every size—in every industry and sector. Our MLO process includes four distinct components:

1 Microsoft Licensing Statement (MLS) Baseline Analysis— A comprehensive overview of your entitlements, broken down into easy-to-understand components and backed by expert commentary.

2 Deployment Blueprint—A discovery and documentation process that uncovers everything we need to know about your Microsoft plans.

3 Options Analysis—A sophisticated translation of your Baseline Analysis and Blueprint into viable licensing options.

4 Concierge Services—A successful licensing investment requires constant attention. That’s why we offer your organization continual care over the life of your agreement to ensure your investment stays aligned with your needs.

Microsoft Tools and ResourcesMicrosoft Licensing Optimization




Microsoft Enterprise Agreement

If your IT needs align with Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) strengths, there’s no better way to achieve your Microsoft goals and save money in the process. Reach new levels of productivity, performance, and cost savings with a Microsoft EA. Now is the perfect time to take a look—or a second look—at your Microsoft licensing.

• Use our FREE assessment to determine if an EA is right for you

• Streamline and save on your existing software

• Grow your toolset without complicating your licensing

To learn more about our Microsoft EA offerings, visit www.connection.com/EAGoodFit

Microsoft Office 365

Office 365 is in a class by itself. More than merely a different way of licensing, it’s a different way of deploying and consuming technologies. As the first cloud-enabled productivity stack of its kind, best practice for deployment is still evolving.

Office 365 is a significant change for any organization. So we built our own set of tools and templates to help you make this important decision. These complimentary tools help with every aspect of the decision, from licensing to financial analysis to cost justification–with no strings attached. Thousands of customers

have turned to us for advice, and in every case it’s been a collaborative journey. We are ready to help you.

If you’re thinking about Office 365, we recommend that you start with our Online Readiness Assessment. Your input helps our team understand your objectives and determine your readiness. Once you’ve completed the assessment, we’ll email a summary of your results, evaluate your responses, and then schedule a call to discuss your specific situation. We will also send you a complimentary copy of our Office 365 how-to guide, written by our team of experts.

Get started today at www.connection.com/O365

Microsoft Tools and Resources (continued)

More Ways to Save, Simplify, and Support Growth



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1 OPTIMIZATION

• Microsoft Licensing Optimization (MLO)

• Software Asset Management (SAM)

2 ANALYSIS

• Perform scoping call to understand your environment

• Packaged services and assessments in key areas:

Windows Server Assessment

Active Directory Assessment

Exchange Assessment

• Provide detailed report outlining project needs

3 STRATEGY

• Create plan to migrate while keeping you compliant

• Engage project management to ensure success

4 INFORMATION

• Perform valuable knowledge transfer

5 SUPPORT

• Offer staff augmentation after deployment

5 Steps to Success Transform Your Software Environment with Our 5-Step Process:




Software touches every area of your organization. That interconnected aspect necessitates that any successful solution will have to address issues across a wide range of teams, infrastructure, and disciplines.

That’s why our Software Practice works in partnership with our Microsoft Team and our other related Practice Areas, including Cloud and Security. We can also leverage our Networking and Converged Data Center Practices to upgrade the infrastructure needed to support modern software solutions. Together they’re able to tailor solutions to ensure your software environment meets the needs of your entire organization.

Industry-Leading Expertise

• Tenured, expert engineers

• Certified across Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server, VMware offerings, and the latest mobile and cloud technologies

• Our MLO service and Readiness Assessments are built entirely in house

• We serve customers of all sizes and from every industry

• Winner of the Microsoft 2015 Operational Excellence Award for best-in-class performance

The Experience to Solve Your Software Challenges




Extensive Partnerships

We leverage technologies from leading software vendors to design best-in-class solutions to meet your specific requirements. Our partners include:

• AirWatch

• Citrix

• Intel

• Microsoft

• MobileIron

• Red Hat

• Sophos

• Symantec

• Veeam

• VMware

Your Trusted Security Partner

Our ability to help customers solve tough IT challenges with elegant, innovative solutions is why Connection has been recognized by the industry’s leading manufacturers as one of the best National Solutions Providers.

Our Exclusive Offerings:• Windows Server Assessment

• Active Directory Assessment

• Exchange Assessment

• Software Asset Management (SAM)

• Microsoft Licensing Optimization (MLO)

• Office 365 Assessment

• Enterprise Agreement Assessment

• Packaged Software Services



CONVERGED DATA CENTER CLOUD NETWORKING SOFTWARE LIFECYCLESECURITY MOBILITY

About Connection

As a leading National Technology Solutions Provider, we’ve been trusted for more than 35 years to connect people with technology that enhances growth, elevates productivity, and empowers innovation. Connection, a Fortune 1000 company, is a go-to provider for more than 300,000 products and services from 1,600 manufacturers. Our experts lead with solution selling for small- to medium-sized businesses, enterprises, and the public sector across all verticals, from healthcare and retail to higher education and everything in between.

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